6 ways to eat more tahini (if you have a sweet-and-savory tooth!):

 

Tahini's bitterness may be polarizing to some and could require a little getting used to due to it's complex flavor. And though you won't catch me eating tahini by the spoonful, I love using tahini in sweet applications because it is nutty, bitter, and rich and those flavors often help balance treats that are otherwise cloyingly sweet. I consider myself one who has a sweet-and-savory tooth, and I figured it would be fun to share ways to eat tahini that go way beyond hummus and dressings. So this post is for all my like-minded sweet-and-savory toothed friends! (Not sure that's something people really say, but I'm going with it!)

1. If you normally add peanut or almond butter to your oatmeal, try swapping it for a spoonful or two of tahini!

2. On a piece of toast! 3 of my favorite toast combos: 

-tahini with strawberry jam

-tahini with chocolate chips and sea salt

-tahini with banana, a drizzle of honey and sprinkle of ground cinnamon. 

It’s the perfect evening snack when I’m feeling a little hungry and yet wanting something both indulgent and nutritious. 

3.  In chocolate chip cookies or swirled into brownies. Chocolate and tahini just works so seamlessly together, much like peanut butter, but more interesting!

4. Three words: Tahini ice cream! 

5. Stir it into your Greek yogurt with fresh fruit, a bit of honey, ground cardamom and a drop of vanilla extract. It’s one of my favorite afternoon snacks, it's tasty and packed with healthy fat and protein, and fills me up til dinnertime.

6. Last but not least blend it into your next smoothie!

My favorite: 

-1 tablespoon tahini
-1 frozen banana
-1-2 pitted medjool dates
-2 tablespoons raw oats
-touch of cinnamon
-1/2 cup almond milk

Blend until thoroughly combined. Soooo good!

What are your favorite ways to eat tahini? :)

Friday Love! {8.5.2016}

Hey guys! This week has been so much less overwhelming than last week, I have been feeling more myself and been quite inspired too. So here’s a little roundup of things I’m loving these days...

one // Having a date night last week! Michael and I went into the city for dinner and drinks. We went to Seviche for a few tapas and walked across the Roberto Clemente bridge to a beer bar, and shared 2 flights. I’m not typically a beer person but I found a couple that were pretty refreshing on such a humid evening!

two // Tahini swirled into my yogurt. The tahini thickens and gives the yogurt such a richness, making it taste a bit decadent! Sometimes I’ll add honey to offset the bitterness of the tahini but now not so much, I don't really mind it! I’ve been doing this for a few months now and it made me think of a cool post. What if I shared other unconventional ways to use tahini that go beyond hummus? Hmm *thinking emoji*

three // These “mom” shorts. They are on my wishlist of things to buy before summer ends! I only have two shorts that fit appropriately thanks to squats...  I like that they’re high waisted and aren't too short. 

four // Instagram stories! At first I was a little skeptical because it mirrored Snapchat and I didn't think that was cool of Instagram. However, I’m actually finding myself using it, and might even try cooking tutorials! Like most people, I'm digging the convenience of it being all in one app! To be honest, I never really gave Snapchat a time of day, just know that, Lydia and I will miss the funny filters. Womp, womp.

five // Our CSA goodies this week; we got a watermelon and more green beans this week, a CSA favorite of mine! I also bought some peaches at the farm when I picked up my bag.  I just couldn’t resist! I’m thinking Lydia and I will probably eat some as is, and I'll save some for peach pie bars and maybe these wine slushies :)

six // This photo of Lydia begging for some yucca fries! It isn't the first time she's done this either, I've got quite the collection of pictures to prove it. My sister insists I share a post dedicated to these moments, and I just might!

And that’s all I got this week, until next week my friends!

Tahini & Sweet Potato Smoothie

Michael and I have a weekly ritual of eating smoothies, I say eat 'cause they're so thick you need a spoon! I like to call this ritual "Smoothie Sundays" but have never actually said that aloud. This became our thing sometime last year when Michael and I started attending church at HBC; we needed something quick and nutritious for breakfast. So each week, I've been waking up a little earlier to get ready for church and make Smoothie Sundays possible. Through these weekly endeavors, I've learned my share of smoothie techniques and how smoothies differ from one another and which flavors work and which don't. In my opinion, one that didn't work for me was blending turmeric, frozen pineapple and fish oil all in one smoothie. It was the first time I didn't finish a smoothie! Anyhow, while I do believe smoothies are a healthy, convenient and equally delicious little breakfast they don't always keep Michael and I's bellies full for the entire morning... 

So this week, I've been playing around with our lovely blender and blending up some smoothies, and came across one that I really enjoyed. And it's filling too! Because I promised to post more recipes this year, it would be criminal of me not to share this smoothie with you all.

It's called Tahini & Sweet Potato Smoothie and it's packed with complex carbohydrates, fiber and beta-carotene. It features a few of my favorite ingredients too! Oats, sweet potato and tahini. Tahini gives the smoothie richness, boldness in flavor and a healthy dose of both calcium and fat. And the addition of the oats and sweet potato effectively prevent the epidemic today that is known as mid-morning hunger! Plus once blended you get a beautiful orange smoothie that is velvety smooth.

Tahini & Sweet Potato Smoothie 

• 1/2 medium cooked sweet potato (The night before I usually roast a whole sweet potato in at 375 F for 45-50 minutes)
• 1/2 frozen banana 
• 1/2-1 cup almond milk (Add more milk depending on your desired level of thickness)
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon tahini paste
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• optional add-ins: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder; 1 tablespoon chia seeds

In a high speed blender place in all ingredients and blend until ingredients are smooth and thoroughly incorporated. For a sweeter smoothie try a teaspoon of maple syrup or a pitted date. Pour into a small glass and enjoy with a spoon. Mmm!

xo, Jessica